Bulb Hints

This is a great time of year to plant spring blooming bulbs. Here are a few helpful hints to get you started in the right direction.

• If you choose to use more than one variety of bulb mixed in a bed it is most effective if they have similar bloom times.
• Deer and Rodents typically do not bother Daffodils, but they love Tulips
• For a naturalized look, mix bulbs, toss them throughout beds, and plant them where they land.
• Where squirrels or other rodents can be a problem apply a layer of deer netting over tulip beds at planting to prevent the bulbs from being dug up and eaten. This can be removed just before the foliage begins to emerge in spring.
• The general rule of thumb for planting spring bulbs is to plant two or three times as deep as the bulb is tall. For example, if your bulb is about 1” tall, plant it 3” deep.
• Muscari, Scilla, Crocus and Galanthus (Snow Drops) can be effective for creating a layered look when used in conjunction with other major bulbs, like Tulips and Daffodils.
• Don’t forget about Allium! With their large purple balls atop up to 3’ stalks, they are early summer stunners!